Retirement can be an exciting time for many people, but it can be challenging as well. Going from working full-time to suddenly having a lot more free time can be a good thing, yet overwhelming too. There are also financial concerns to take into consideration. Before you stop working, make sure you seek good advice on how to retire comfortably and happy.
The first thing you need to do is choose the date you are planning to retire. Most workers leave the workforce when they are ready to, normally at sixty-five, but many are forced to leave early for various situations, such as a company layoff or health issues. For this reason, it is always good to plan ahead. If you have a retirement date in mind, work toward that goal, but create a contingency plan if your date is moved up unexpectedly.
If retirement seems like a big leap for you, then you can always ease into it gradually. Some financial planners recommend people take mini-retirements to get used to not working. This could involve taking an extended vacation or a sabbatical from work for a couple of months to travel, pursue new activities, or just relax from the routine of everyday life.
For many retirees, volunteering becomes a big part of their life and takes up many of the hours that a regular job would have. Many of them view this as a means of giving back to their community. However, this does not necessarily mean that you have to volunteer in a soup kitchen. You can volunteer as a consultant for a non-profit organization, a substitute teacher, or a mentor to young people.
Whatever you are interested in doing in retirement, the key to living well is to start saving early and keep saving. Save no less than twenty percent of your income. With each paycheck, the money can be taken out if you set up an automatic transfer for it to go in an investment account where you will not be tempted to touch it.
If you are behind in your savings goals, or you currently have a lot of debt, do not worry. Start saving small amounts and increase this with each pay raise you receive. The sooner you begin to save, the more time you are giving your money to grow with compound interest.
You also need to know what your financial needs are. Many financial advisors suggest that you aim to replace at least seventy percent of your income when you retire. This is the average amount needed to sustain you after you quit working. Some people may need more or less, depending on their personal circumstances.
Remember that your retirement is what you choose to make it. This period will signal a new chapter in your life, so plan ahead to make the most of it.
The first thing you need to do is choose the date you are planning to retire. Most workers leave the workforce when they are ready to, normally at sixty-five, but many are forced to leave early for various situations, such as a company layoff or health issues. For this reason, it is always good to plan ahead. If you have a retirement date in mind, work toward that goal, but create a contingency plan if your date is moved up unexpectedly.
If retirement seems like a big leap for you, then you can always ease into it gradually. Some financial planners recommend people take mini-retirements to get used to not working. This could involve taking an extended vacation or a sabbatical from work for a couple of months to travel, pursue new activities, or just relax from the routine of everyday life.
For many retirees, volunteering becomes a big part of their life and takes up many of the hours that a regular job would have. Many of them view this as a means of giving back to their community. However, this does not necessarily mean that you have to volunteer in a soup kitchen. You can volunteer as a consultant for a non-profit organization, a substitute teacher, or a mentor to young people.
Whatever you are interested in doing in retirement, the key to living well is to start saving early and keep saving. Save no less than twenty percent of your income. With each paycheck, the money can be taken out if you set up an automatic transfer for it to go in an investment account where you will not be tempted to touch it.
If you are behind in your savings goals, or you currently have a lot of debt, do not worry. Start saving small amounts and increase this with each pay raise you receive. The sooner you begin to save, the more time you are giving your money to grow with compound interest.
You also need to know what your financial needs are. Many financial advisors suggest that you aim to replace at least seventy percent of your income when you retire. This is the average amount needed to sustain you after you quit working. Some people may need more or less, depending on their personal circumstances.
Remember that your retirement is what you choose to make it. This period will signal a new chapter in your life, so plan ahead to make the most of it.
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